After years in production, Lionsgate's controversial Michael Jackson biopic finally debuted in cinemas earlier this month, and the studio has now confirmed a sequel is on the way. Michael was released to resoundingly negative reviews from critics, with The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey awarding it one star and labelling the film a "ghoulish, soulless cash grab." Those negative reviews, however, did not stop fans from heading for cinemas in their droves and securing Michael the biggest opening weekend for any music biopic in history, with $217 million (£160 million) in takings globally. The film's current revenue is a whopping $715.8 million (£533.2 million) worldwide.
The figures have fuelled talk of a possible follow-up, and speaking in a quarterly earnings call reported on by Variety, Lionsgate motion picture chair Adam Fogelson confirmed that preparations for a second film are well underway and going "exceptionally well." "I would say that there is a ton of incredibly entertaining Michael Jackson story, and much of the biggest and most popular parts of his music catalogue that were not touched upon in the first film," he continued. "There are so many other events that happened, even in the time frame of the original movie that weren't touched upon, so we're very, very confident that we've got an incredibly entertaining movie that will appeal once again to a global audience."
Michael ended with Jackson's 1988 Bad tour despite initial plans for the film to also chart the early Nineties, when 13-year-old Jordan Chandler's family accused the King of Pop of sexual abuse against the teenager. The case was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed sum believed to have been as high as $30 million. Last-minute changes saw these scenes cut and the film's ending hastily reshot after lawyers realised that including the claims would breach the settlement agreement. Jackson maintained his innocence against all allegations made during his lifetime, and his estate has continued to vehemently deny any wrongdoing.
Fogelson has now confirmed that some of the footage left on the cutting room floor will feature in the sequel. "We think we've got 25 to 30 per cent of a second movie already shot from the prior production activity, and so obviously that will have some [financial] benefit ultimately," he said. The biopic faced accusations of "whitewashing" the star's story – a claim refuted by actor Colman Domingo, who played Jackson patriarch Joe. The 56-year-old said earlier this month that the film tells MJ's story "through his eyes." "That's what it is," he added. "That's what this film is, and there's the possibility of there being a part two that may deal with other things that may happen afterwards."
